Tainted Blood by Joann I. Martin Sowles Read Free Book Online Page A

Carter called. “We’ve been looking for you.”
    “Well, you found me.” I got up off of the grass and brushed off my jeans as they reached me.
    “I know! I’m like some super-detective-vamp-were! It’s freakin’ awesome!” Carter grinned goofily and his scar wrinkled over his eye. It had faded quite a bit but it was still clearly noticeable. “It was my idea to look for you here.”
    “Yeah, you’re like a super genius,” I said sarcastically.
    “Ah, you’re just jealous of my mad skill,” he said, is goofy smile spreading wider.
    “You are such a dork,” I said with a laugh.
    “Enough messing around you two,” Felix cut in. Then he directed his attention to me. “Who was that?”
    “Some vampire named Phen,” I answered.
    Felix lifted his glasses so that his sky blue eyes met mine. “You stay away from him, okay?” I nodded, a bit troubled by his tone. “You two head back,” he said to us. “I have something I need to take care of.” Then he headed off in the direction where I’d seen Phen disappear. See, I knew he was going to be in trouble. I was sure I’d be getting a talking to at some point, also.
    I started heading toward the gates but Carter stopped me. “Wait, Laney. I’ve got something I think you should open here.”
    He pulled the present and the card that we had found in Lilly’s bedroom from behind his back. I felt an instant lump form in my throat and a knot in my gut. I took the gift from him, my eyes blurring with tears. I held it for a moment, running the silver fabric of the bow between my fingers, before I had enough nerve to tear the shiny aqua paper free.
    Inside I found a handmade purse. It was a cinch bag, or rather a cinch purse. It was just big enough for my essentials. It was made out of silky aqua fabric with turquoise swirls. The inside lining was a sparkly silver and the top of the bag was lined with dangling, clear beads. There was a band of silver ribbon around the middle where it cinched with thin, gray satin cord. It had a thicker gray cord for a strap.
    I ran my fingers over the satiny fabric. She made this for me . It would be the last thing she would ever make for me. I choked back a sob, and Carter rubbed my arm. I held the purse close to my face and breathed. It smelled like her. It was like she’d sealed her scent into the fabric.
    The card was small, and I opened it last, once I wiped away some tears that had been threatening to fall away and was able to see through somewhat unblurred vision. There was a picture of wildflowers on the front of the card, and it had been blank until Lilly had filled it in. Tears filled my eyes again and spilled over, streaking my face as I read the card.
     
    Laney Jo,
    It has been such a pleasure to be a part of your life and to watch you become the beautiful woman that you are today. You have given me so much joy. Thank you.
    Happy 19 th Birthday, my sweet girl.
    I love you with all of my heart,
    ~Aunt Lilly
     
    My heart ached. She was thanking me. Thanking me for bringing her joy when the last time we’d been together we’d argued and then… I had to stop myself because the memory was too awful. I closed the card and placed it inside the purse that my aunt had made especially for me. They were the last gifts she would ever give me. It was the last message I would ever receive from her. I missed her so much.
    Carter pulled me in for a hug to comfort me. I pulled away sooner than I wanted to, sooner than I needed to. If someone saw, who knows what rumors would start flying around next. So I pulled myself together and began heading for the cemetery gates.
    “Happy birthday, Laney,” Carter said.
    “Thanks.” I gave him a quick smile, and he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, hugging me to his side as we walked.
    “How’s your day been so far?”
    “Started out kind of weird actually.”
    “Oh?” he said as his let go of me.
    “I think Oliver’s still getting over his issues with our drunken night.” I